(CNN) - CNN’s Candy Crowley reports that supporters of Bill Richardson in Iowa are now moving over to Barack Obama as their second-choice candidate - a vital designation in the Democratic caucuses. A Clinton source tells her that “The 'Richardson thing’ is real," and that Clinton supporters in the caucuses report “people are moving en masse from Richardson to Barack Obama.”

Obama supporters dispute the reports.

Earlier Thursday, word spread that Richardson caucus goers in precincts where the former New Mexico governor was not “viable” – could not meet the required 15 percent threshold - were being urged to go with Obama as their second-choice candidate.

A Richardson spokesman told CNN that “no deal was cut between the two campaigns.”

The spokesman also said that there is a “natural overlap between Richardson and Obama supporters” on such issues as the war in Iraq and bringing change to Washington.

All you people refering to Governor Richardson as a formor governor are right. His days in politics are close to over. Obama thinks he is over the hill. Richardson you crossed the wrong line. To think. The Clintons gave Richardson his start. Now I am sure he will lose it. The people of New Mexico like Senator Clinton alot better then Richardson. Also Richardson I am sure Obama has another of his 40 something friends to bring along as Vice President. Your history Richardson. Obama will continue on at your expense. Senator Clinton 2008

January 4, 2008 02:31 am at 2:31 am |

A CHANGE IS COMING, IL

Clearly, many of you are speaking without thinking or simply know nothing about politics. Don't have time to give you a lesson in polictical science..........read up!

For those of you that claim Obama is inexperienced, consider this...... He has been a public servent for many years in different capacities, but most noteably he has servered in Illinois for over 10 years...

Before becoming president no one has experience as president.....

What experience does Hilliary have over him...........she was married to a president since when does being the spouse of a president qualify you for the job.

Experience does not equal qualified.......it just means you've done somthing before, it does not mean that you do it well.............,but since none of them have been president before they ALL ARE INEXPERIENCED!

There is a first time for everything..........

People came out in record numbers to support him, a lot of them young. Check your history..........it is the youth who lead and fuel the revelution to bring about change..... don't dismiss them, they are backing Barack!

The most important thing in getting people to do what you want is first getting them to like you. Barack has already done that......so he his one step ahead of the game.

The key to being successful as the head of anything including head of the free world is to recgonize that you don't know every thing about everything, so surround yourself with people who are experts in areas you are not....... which is why presidents have cabinets......(for those of you who don't know what I'm talking about read up on the Executive Branch of Goverment)

Until any candidate gets into office they are all selling a dream....the question is which candidate can get people to buy into their dream and make it a reality... that's the only way to get things done. And as I said earlier people do things for people they like, so the the dream that Barack is selling have a real possiblity to become reality.

When he nominee, the presidency will be decided by the minority vote.....

Most people will not cross party lines, so the white vote will be split along those lines giving him at least 30% from the white vote, as this country is about 70% white and about half of them are Dems and half Reps .
he will also win the majority of the minority vote, which will give him about a another 22-26 % of the overall vote for a total of 52- 56% of the popular vote, and if he picks Edwards as a running mate.... then it's all good.

Hilliary can't win the popular vote agianst the Reps because they will come out just to vote against her. The hate her more than they dislike Barack.

GO BARACK! 08

January 4, 2008 02:31 am at 2:31 am |

sean

Congratulations Barak Obama !!! Nearly 40% !!! All I can say is thank God !!! It does appear to me that THIS COUNTRY IS SPEAKING. The people of this country are tired – VERY TIRED OF EXACTLY WHAT THE CLINTON / EDWARDS CAMPAIGNS STAND FOR – MORE OF THE SAME – BIG THOUGHTLESS GOV. – no that's not correct – they do think – PRIMARILY ABOUT THEMSELVES – SECONDARILY about all the folks that got them installed. I think it's high time for a little less GREASE. We are going to need some exceptional ideas into the future to correct what is ailing this country. I BELIEVE YOU ARE THE RIGHT MAN FOR THIS JOB. You are indeed uniquely qualified. I have seen your platform with regard to the major issues that need to be addressed. Your platform can and will SELL on both sides of the isle. I have voted Democrat, I have voted Republican and I have voted Independent. I will always vote for the CANDIDATE I percieve to have the best platform/ideas. You stand the best chance of effecting real change for the betterment of this country. I do BELIEVE it's going to happen.

January 4, 2008 03:57 am at 3:57 am |

WorldTravel

Enjoyed watching the evening from up here in Canada. Couldn't be happier with the results. In a Huckabee – Obama contest, I see the GOP kicking the DEMs to the curb where they've been the last 8 years. Huckabee is a genuine man for the common person, not the rich. And President Huckabee has the presidential ring to it that will go down well in the history books eh!

January 4, 2008 04:51 am at 4:51 am |

share

OBAMA CAN ROAR NOW BECAUSE THIS WILL BE THE ONLY LONG HAUL FOR HIM. ALL THE WEAK CANDIDATES WON IN IOWA AND I GUESS IOWA DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEY WANT. BILL CLINTON DIDN'T WIN IN IOWA AND HE BECOME OUR GREATEST PRESIDENT. WATCH OUT OBAMA NO WAY YOU WILL BE THE NOMINEE FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY. GO HILIARY GO!

January 4, 2008 07:52 am at 7:52 am |

Travis Sugarland, Texas

In New Hampshire they will also vote against Billary, socialism, and all thjat other stuff. Yes, several folk lost Iowa and went on to win to nomination. They were competent. They were not despised and distrusted by the majority of Americans. She will say something untrue or dumb by noon. That campaign is circling the drain.

January 4, 2008 08:24 am at 8:24 am |

stefano mvuvi

OBAMA AND RAILIA AND MBOYA AND OGINGA ODINGA

The past 45 years have shown us that the Kikuyus will not allow a Luo to become president of Kenya. Will they permit one to be president of the United States?

January 4, 2008 10:09 am at 10:09 am |

Geri, VA.

I am very excited about Obama winning in Iowa and I'm hoping voters will judge him and all the candidates by their platform, and the content of his character. We no longer need politics as usual but new ideas and a different direction. When you look at the leadership we've had and analyze the current conditions of our nation you would think any rational thinking person would be look for someone with fresh ideas and a new direction. If the status quo hasn’t been able to fix it in over 200 years how are they going to do it now? America I think we need to start using reality instead of color and do what's best for the conditions of your country. Just close your eyes and listen to the candidates messages.

January 4, 2008 10:10 am at 10:10 am |

Angelo

You guys are all missing the point. Clinton is the front runner. This is just Richardson's plan to bring her down a notch in the other state's polls and to dispell her "invincibility" cloak. If he can't beat her, why not Obama? It would have been no different if Kucinich was #2. By throwing his support to Obama rather than Edwards he hopes to get rid of Clinton and reduce the race to himself and Obama with whom he can compete on the basis of experience. Same message but more experience. Duh?! Politics people!

January 4, 2008 01:00 pm at 1:00 pm |

Kelly A, NM

"Ian Shoemaker January 3, 2008 10:08 pm ET:

Bill Richardson is the CURRENT governor of New Mexico, not the "former Governor," as this article states. Come on CNN!"

Obviously our comments are ignored by CNN. They apparently don't care about accuracy.

January 4, 2008 02:57 pm at 2:57 pm |

John Myers

Folks, what record does Obama have to back up this big talk about "change?" He gave a good speech at the Democratic convention in 2004, then became the US senator by default and is now wanting to become the president? He is a good orator and is charismatic but that doesn't qualify him to become the president. Wake up, folks.

Anyone but Obama. We need to save this country from falling into the hands of Obama.

January 4, 2008 04:11 pm at 4:11 pm |

Nicole

I am also a hispanic american and am proud of Gov.Richardson, although the Clintons gave him employment, I think it is great that Richardson, as an ethnic monority is supporting another ethnic minority. It has long been thought that if the african-americans and hispanic americans pulled together, they would be unstopable. But as the story points out," A Richardson spokesman told CNN that “no deal was cut between the two campaigns." So we should not throw stones at Gov.Richardson